LeBron and Z Head for the Mountains

LeBron James is only the second Cavalier voted to the All-Star starting lineup. Sam Forencich NBAE/Getty Images

LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas being the first Cavalier teammates selected to the All-Star Game since the trio of Larry Nance, Mark Price and Brad Daugherty in 1993 is much more than just a feather in Cleveland’s cap. It’s a bridge between Cavaliers playoffs past and – if things continue – present.

LeBron’s selection by the fans is just an affirmation of his superstar status. The young King’s name will be peppered throughout the NBA record book’s “Youngest Ever to …” file. (Being the youngest player to be selected as an All-Star, ironically, will not be one of them. That goes to Kobe Bryant at 19 years, 169 days.)

“It will be a great honor,” LeBron said after receiving the nomination. “I’m very happy that I put myself in that position and (to) my teammates I give a lot of thanks, because I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

His skills, his charisma and his ability and willingness to put the team on his back show why he’s not only an All-Star, but on many people’s short list for MVP.

There’s so much more to LeBron’s greatness than merely the numbers, although they are eye-popping. The two-time Eastern Conference Player of the Month has scored 27 or more points in 11 of his last 13 games. Over his last 10 games, the sophomore sensation is averaging 29 points, seven boards and nearly ten assists. He’s the only player in the NBA to average 25.0 points, 7.0 boards and 7.0 assists per game.

Some say LeBron’s All-Star nod is a year late. LBJ did take part in last year’s frenetic ridiculousness that was the Rookie Challenge and, naturally, led everyone with 33 points. David Stern has vowed that it was actually resemble a basketball game this year in Denver.

When LeBron does take the court as a starter this year, it’ll be only the second time a Cavalier’s been named a starter. Shawn Kemp did it in 1998, and that was a residual vote from his less-zoftig days in Seattle. LeBron is this team’s and this town’s All-Star. We can all share some pride in that.

Big Z makes his third trip to All-Star Weekend. Rocky Widner NBAE/Getty Images

Ilguaskas’ selection is significant in a completely other way. There was a time that it seemed Z would be cast to the scrapheap of injury-prone big men. While most of the current Cavaliers are seeing the peak of the organization’s success, Z has seen the valleys.

Only DeSagana Diop and, his first incarnation, Tractor Traylor have been around for the “blue lagoon” days at the Gund. And neither of them has seen promising seasons or a young career dismantled on an annual basis.

But that seems like a long time ago for Z, who also was a coach’s selection for the 2002 mid-season classic in Atlanta. That game wasn’t so classic for the big Lithuanian, who played a grand total of four minutes; enough time for a missed shot, turnover and personal foul. In Z’s defense, even Yao Ming only played 17 minutes. A 155-145 All-Star Game is not exactly tailor-made for a seven-footer.

This year, Z comes charging into the break. Like his young All-Star teammate, he’s been red-hot over his last six, averaging nearly 21 points and over 10 boards per game. Last Sunday night, the seven-year vet dominated the Bucks with 28 points and 18 boards.

In Tuesday night’s win over Toronto, Ilgauskas led all scorers with 23 points and set the game’s tone, pushing the Cavaliers to a huge lead with 15 in the first half.

After the game, Z spoke about his All-Star selection. “It feels great; it is a great honor not only for me, but for my team,” he said. “This acknowledges everyone, two guys going from Cleveland, so I’m going to go in there to enjoy myself.”

So Big Z has climbed the NBA mountain that LeBron James was seemingly born on. Whichever path they took to get there, it’s a great honor for them and an organization that is slowly reaching its zenith.